Politics & Government

The House has voted to make some changes to the new voter-approved workplace smoking ban.

The measure says businesses do not have to put a “no smoking” sign in work vehicles. It ends the mandate to remove factory-installed ash trays from the vehicles used on the job. And it will no longer force businesses to post “no smoking” signs at loading docks or garage doors.

The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee says there seems to be very little support at this time to add staff in the University System office.

Chancellor Ham Shirvani had asked for 30 new people – mostly legal and compliance staff. The Governor’s budget recommended 9. But Appropriations Committee chairman Ray Holmberg (R-Grand Forks) says the bill will come out of committee without any new staffers in the central office.

One would decare that human life begins at the moment of conception. It’s been called the “personhood” bill. It saya a fertilized egg has rights. It prohibits the intentional destruction of embryos – and more closely regulates in-vitro fertilization. In-vitro doctors oppose the bill, as does the North Dakota Medical Association.

House Republicans have come up with a pay plan – that they say is close to what Gov. Dalrymple proposed for state employees, but with some fundamental changes.

Dalrymple proposed a “five and five” plan – but not across the board. That plan called for equity adjustments, to bring critical staff up to market rates. And it increased the retirement contribution. The Senate adopted that plan.

House Majority Leader Al Carlson (R-Fargo) says the House plan is essentially a net “three-and-three” plan – and it does not increase state contributions for the retirement plan.

The state Senate has rejected a measure that would have added “sexual orientation” to the state’s anti-discrimination statute.

Before the bill was voted down, Senators rejected an amendment to the bill – which would have had a statement about North Dakota not supporting discrimination against gays, lesbians, trans-gender people or bi-sexual people. However, there would be no recourse for people who lost jobs or housing based on sexual orientation.

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to appropraite money for some rural water projects, Under it, $10 million will go to three projects – Stutsman County rural water, the North Central rural water consortium and the McLean-Sheridan rural water project. Another $21 million would go to the Southwest Pipeline project.

Fast tracking the bill means bids can be opened soon – and construction could start this spring.

The state Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill to appropraite money for some rural water projects, Under it, $10 million will go to three projects – Stutsman County rural water, the North Central rural water consortium and the McLean-Sheridan rural water project. Another $21 million would go to the Southwest Pipeline project.

Fast tracking the bill means bids can be opened soon – and construction could start this spring.

In 2007, the Legislature banned the sale of bottle rockets. It was still legal to possess those fireworks.

"Practically speaking, this law is pretty silly," said Rep. Rick Becker (R-Bismarck). "If you believe in the nanny state, vote red on this bill. But if you believe in freedom, even a small freedom like this, vote green."

Bujt opponents say there are good reasons to try and control the number of bottle rockets.